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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask what landlords plans are long term...

127 replies

Oopsusernamealreadytaken · 21/10/2018 14:04

Bit of background, we’ve lived in our current rental property for over 6 years. Our landlady is lovely and has improved the property by putting in a new bathroom (4 years ago) and also is up to date on checks. She rarely bothers us for an inspection - maybe once a year or so and always gives notice if she needs to pop in for whatever reason.

A few weeks ago we had a letter about a rent increase. There wasn’t really an update given as to why other than she hadn’t given us one yet and she felt it was fair. Which I guess is fair, although we couldn’t contest it either way.

In the property we have made a lot of upgrades to decor (I know, fancy wanting to make it a home) and have done a lot of minor repairs (fixing a broken pipe, resetting fence posts, fixing small leaks) everything we’ve done has improved the property and subsequent value if she wanted to sell. We have done all of this with her permission, and she’s never offered to pay/pary pay.

I feel a bit sad that she’s decided to up the rent, it’s going to push us into the bracket of coasting week to week with no luxuries to having to cut other areas such as food etc. We already work all the hours we can due to having a Sen child.

So anyway enough of life story, would it be unreasonable to ask her what her plans our for the house? I know she’s well within her rights to not tell us, but equally we don’t want to pay out of our own pocket to improve a house that is going to be sold within a year. (I know that it can happen regardless)

I know we are lucky to have a roof over our heads, I know we are lucky to have a well maintained home to live in, I know we shouldn’t have probably done those repairs, but I fear if we start bugging her for every small repair now she will want to sell up Confused and as a tenant that’s probably your worst fear come true.

What should we say? We have a meeting in a few weeks.

OP posts:
dreamingofsun · 21/10/2018 14:56

if you are asking not to pay rent increase then i think you are being overly optimistic. check to see what the market rate is in your area - i bet you have been way under it. we had a tenant who asked us to match the price of a council property and declined. No problem in asking i guess but i very much doubt she will reduce it just cause you are finding things a bit tough.

Mulberry72 · 21/10/2018 14:58

We’ve just had a minor (£20 pm) increase and we’ve been here 5 years. Our landlord has done everything that we’ve asked in that time, including replacing the blinds in the lounge and dining room with our choice when we decorated.

I think we’ve done/are doing really well with our landlord. How much has yours increased your rent by?

Likeateddy · 21/10/2018 15:01

OP, could you say that you really love the house and ask for a fixed term renewal agreement? You could ask for say two or three years. There's all sorts of options available for break clauses if you are she want to include them. For example you might be able to request a tenant only break after a year if you might want to go. It's all done to the negotiation, but the increase sounds reasonable

pigsDOfly · 21/10/2018 15:01

You've been very lucky to have no increases in rent in six years. Although, I don't increase my rent every year I certainly wouldn't go six years without doing so.

As far as doing all the repairs yourself I would advise you to have rethink about that. If you're willing to pay for everything then the chances are your LL will let you. As a LL I expect to get all repairs done and to pay for them - obviously not repairs that have been caused by the tenant's carelessness. It's one of the advantages of renting that you're not responsible for repairs. A decent/sensible LL will not decide to sell up because you need some work done on the property.

I would love to have a good reliable tenant for a long period - I've had some awful tenants in the past and it's cost me ££££ thousands to put right the damage they've done - so I would be more than please, if I were your LL, if you told me you were looking to stay for a long time and wanted to know what my future plans were regarding the property. In my experience good tenants are like gold dust.

Obviously people's situations change and she might not know what she wants to do in the future so you might not get an answer and she could of course tell you to mind your own business. But if I were you I'd definitely ask.

MondayImInLove · 21/10/2018 15:02

I’ve heard some horror stories about horrendous landlords and we’ve been very lucky to not have had a rise until now
Are you saying that a landlord asking for a raise in rent is horrendous? You do realize the raise reflects inflation? It is completey normal!

Original poster
Oopsusernamealreadytaken · 21/10/2018 15:03

I’m not asking for rent to be reduced Grin

OP posts:
Original poster
Oopsusernamealreadytaken · 21/10/2018 15:04

@Mondayiminlove - no I’m not. I don’t think that at all. Please don’t mix my words.

OP posts:
BertramKibbler · 21/10/2018 15:07

Ask her, our tenants have asked us and we told them. We also have no intention of raising the rent whilst our costs are the same. Good tenants are worth more than an extra £50 a month imo.

mummmy2017 · 21/10/2018 15:26

Due to tax changes next year, interest on mortgages will no longer be classed as an expense, as such tax at 40% will have to be paid on all rent collected for premise, so rents are going to rise.. Say yes and be grateful it's not more..

BertramKibbler · 21/10/2018 15:30

The rental market won’t cover that rise, people can’t afford it. LL will just have to sell up, we can’t up rent by hundreds a month!

CuriousaboutSamphire · 21/10/2018 15:36

I wonder if any political party has thought about what will happen then?

Investment companies may be OK.

Private LLs won't be though. They may be forced to try and sell and the market won't be able to afford houses at the price they are now, so what hard chpices LLs have:

  1. Keep renting, making a substantial loss
  2. Evict and let the house sit empty might be cheaper for some
  3. Bankruptcy!

Whatever happens there is a real danger of a housing crash, which I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy!

dreamingofsun · 21/10/2018 16:08

curious - dont forget how cheap mortgages are at the moment though due to amazingly low interest rates. when we first had our rental house about 15 years ago we made a loss each month....i doubt we will make a loss with the tax changes

EvePolastriSorryBaby · 21/10/2018 16:18

Rent increase in all that time is extremely lucky. Ours goes up every year, along with a £120 admin fee for it to go up 
Currently sitting at £1400 for a small 3 bed.

EvePolastriSorryBaby · 21/10/2018 16:19

And we don't make any major improvements because long term- we wouldn't benefit.

BertramKibbler · 21/10/2018 16:24

I believe a price crash was essentially the aim with the new tax system

AiryFairyUnicornRainbow · 21/10/2018 16:26

OP

Why are you not able to get on the social housing register? If not before, now your circumstances have changed..

This is what I would do if i were you

Go to the local council tomorrow + ask to see a homelessness officer, and explain, tell them that this is putting you at risk of homelessness, due to the extra payments

Then there are options - either apply for housing benefit if you dont get it, or an emergency housing benefit payment to up what you already get....and get on the social housing register in the meantime

They owe you a duty of care as realistically if you cant afford the rent, you are at risk of homelessness

RPC28 · 21/10/2018 16:33

🤭 Jesus! I live in the south west and a three bed is roughly £1,200-£1,500 🤦🏽‍♀️

MsOliphant · 21/10/2018 16:42

Surely the council would just suggest she moves somewhere smaller/cheaper Confused

She’s not at risk of homelessness.

NotANotMan · 21/10/2018 16:44

Go to the local council tomorrow + ask to see a homelessness officer, and explain, tell them that this is putting you at risk of homelessness, due to the extra payments

Hahahahahaha what?

NotANotMan · 21/10/2018 16:44

They owe you a duty of care as realistically if you cant afford the rent, you are at risk of homelessness

Grin no they don't!

EvePolastriSorryBaby · 21/10/2018 16:46

Agree! Landlady sounds like she been perfectly reasonable.

There are many more people who need help from council than someone who has been given minimal increase in rent.

Surely you've had a pay rise within 6 years? Why shouldn't your rent go up??

EvePolastriSorryBaby · 21/10/2018 16:50

We already work all the hours we can due to having a Sen child.

@Oopsusernamealreadytaken- I'd be intrigued to know how many hours this is? Surely at least one of you can work FT. Coming from a parent with an SEN child as well as 2 other children. Is your child school age?

Bugsymalonemumof2 · 21/10/2018 16:50

The poster on about council housing has no idea 😂

Op i can understand how £50 is a lot when everything is finely balanced but a good landlord is worth keeping. Have a look at all your outgoings and see if you can shop around for any cheaper deals etc.

MsOliphant · 21/10/2018 16:50

That is stupidly ignorant explaination of how the council works!

penny455 · 21/10/2018 16:52

I've been renting for 6 years and never once hAs the landlord put the rent up, I would be outraged and refuse! I didn't even know that was possible